UAAP: Tigers ready to defend title, Archers aching to retake crown

The University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers are ready to defend their title while De La Salle University Green Archers are aching to return to the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men's basketball tournament when action in its 70th season starts on July 7 at the Araneta Coliseum. La Salle coach Joey Santamaria told the SCOOP sa Kamayan Friday that the Archers are aching to play in the tournament after a one-year suspension. "We are anxious to play this season," said Santamaria. "We are really excited to play again in the UAAP. Based on the Archers performance in pre-season tournaments, it could be said that they are ready to reinstall themselves as league champions. The Archers topped the Nike Summer League and the FilOil Flying V Pre-season Invitational Cup. La Salle will again be bannered by veterans TY Tang, Cholo Villanueva, Rico Maierhofer and JV Casio. The Green Archers were suspended last season for fielding ineligible players in 2004 and 2005. On the other hand, University of Santo Tomas coach Pido Jarencio said his team have prepared hard in defending the title. Preparation includes competing in a tournament in Malaysia where the Tigers finished at second spot behind the Malaysian national team. "Lahat ng teams pinaghandaan kami," said Jarencio. "Pero lahat sila, pinaghandaan din namin." Last year's Finals MVP Jojo Duncil will be at the forefront of UST's title-retention bid together with holdovers Jervy Cruz, Japs Cuan, Anthony Espiritu and Dylan Ababou. The 70th season, with the theme "Recreating the Value of Honesty through Sports," will start on July 7 at The Big Dome with a simple opening ceremony starting at 1 pm. It will be followed by two games that will be announced later. UAAP basketball commissioner Ed Cordero said that the National Amateur Basketball Referees Organization (NABRO) will be handling the officiating chores for the seniors, juniors and women's tournament. Aside from basketball, swimming, chess, taekwondo, beach volleyball and judo will also played during the first half of the league. - GMAnews.TV